It has always been an item on my bucket list to see bioluminescent plankton. However I held very…read morelittle hope of ever seeing it because it was my understanding that you never know when or where it'll ever appear. So when my wife mentioned that Napa Valley Paddle was doing a guided kayak tour though bioluminescent waters in Tomales Bay I had no choice but to book a trip. I've been kayaking exactly twice before and both times on lakes in broad daylight. So I was a little nervous about kayaking in a salt water bay in the dark. Hopefully the water is smooth and it doesn't get too choppy for my wife and I. Also, I had low expectations, maybe the plankton won't be there that night, and if it is, it's probably a very subtle glow that you almost have to use your imagination to see. When we arrived we found ourselves in a parking lot at the Miller Boat Launch in Marshall. We got some basic instructions on kayaking, given life vests and whistles and headlamps set to red light to wear backwards. It was all pretty laid back and chill. As the sun went away and the fog came in we paddled out to Hog Island and by the time we were close to it, it was dark enough that some people were beginning to see the water light up. Fortunately the water was very calm and it was comforting to see all the red headlamps on the water to guide us on our way. We paddked clear across the bay to the other side where there were cliffs making the water especially dark there. This is where we turned off all of our lights. There was no subtlety at all, it was nothing less than magical. The water lit up with every paddle and every splash. It was a smooth blue glow in the dark with occasional spatks mixed in. We spent a good while paddling around and splashing and generally bring awed by the trippy water. Then it was time to start heading back, the goal was to paddle around the other side of Hog Island where the water is also very fun to look at. However the water glowed the whole way there even. Unfortunately this is also when conditions changed. We had a nasty headwind and the water got choppy. We were seriously worried we might capsize as we paddled like crazy to get to the island again. When we finally got there, we were done. We just wanted was to get back to the car and go home and drink hot coacoa. So we kept on paddling as hard as we could while we struggled to keep the kayak heading in the right direction. People were starting to scatter and soon the only lights to follow were at the boat launch we came from. Whether that actually was the boat launch was debatable but it was the only indication of civilization so we kept heading in that direction. Maybe it was because we were heavier than anyone else or perhaps we just couldn't paddle very well but we lagged behind in the dark. To make things even more interesting the conditions continued to worsen. We had to fight the wind and the choppy water harder as we made that last leg of the paddle back to shore. Fortunately the lights we were aiming for did happen to be where we needed to land and although we missed the dock we did get to shore soaked but not dreched and we managed to actually make it without going into the drink. Needless to say, it became an adventure however no one could have predicted conditions would change like they did. Apparently under typical conditions we would have had a tail wind and that part of the trip should have been the easy part. A professional paddle boarder who was with our group told us those conditions were "insane" and it was not something she would have willingly attempted unless it was over a short distance in daylight. So we feel better about ourselves having a hard time making it back. I'm very glad we did this, it's a beautiful memory, and a great story to tell, and I highly recommend going.

We met Tanya downtown at the river walk and she set us up with a Fagan Marsh kayak trip the next…read moreday. Loved talking with Drew beforehand, learning about wetland restoration efforts and how quickly nature can rebound. The slough was peaceful and sparkling on this sunny October afternoon. We observed cranes and fish nibbling at surface snacks. In the distance, you can see Mount Tam and a bit closer--the Brazos railroad bridge. While there is much to see and do in Napa, this experience at the end of our trip was a definite highlight.

I am not a hiker at all! But went on a short hike in the early morning. Luckily the day we went, it…read morewasn't too warm. Trails are easy to follow. I did, however, have to make multiple rest stops because I was dying lol. View was gorgeous and the picture does not do justice. There were maybe 3 other small groups when we got there but we were so spread apart that we didn't run into each other. On the way back down, I had a mishap and my shoelace hoop hooked onto my other shoes hook and I took a nice fall. It was my mistake and not the trails. I didn't even try to fix my mistake because as we were nearing the parking lot, I tripped again (same reason) and I fell on the rocks right before the asphalt. We had a good laugh. The employee who was on the golf cart was on his way back and saw me on the ground. He kindly asked if I needed help but I was too busy laughing and embarrassed that I declined his help. This will definitely be a memory to remember!

What a hidden gem this place is...we stayed 2 nights. Great views. Water and electrical hook ups…read more Unique place located near downtown Napa. We are booked to come back.

I absolutely Love walking here with my kids it's quiet peaceful and very Beautiful my dog loves…read morewalking around here with us too

Glass beach is a must see at the end of this trail. Such an amazing place to see a beautiful sunset…read moreand to take a walk with the Littles. My daughter enjoyed this place so much. She collected sea glass, We got to take an amazing walk and watched the beautiful sunset. This will definitely be a go to place for me To relax, unwind, and watch one of the most amazing sunsets I've seen in the state. Also love that it is dog friendly!

What was once a worthwhile club appears to be in clear decline. From my direct experience, the…read morewarning signs are hard to ignore: management turnover, frustrated employees, and ownership that no longer seems willing to invest in the club's future. Prospective buyers should look closely before committing. The fleet is now made up of aging boats, roughly 4-6 years old, and the wear is evident. Inventory has reportedly been reduced from 9 boats to 5, including only 2 surf boats, while pricing remains unchanged. At the same time, members are being asked to move to an "unlimited bookings" model that still limits usage to no more than 3 bookings per month!!! Last season alone, boats experienced issues ranging from failed ballast pumps and broken amps to damaged railings and inconsistent availability. Yet despite reduced inventory, aging equipment, and declining service levels, ownership appears intent on maintaining the same pricing without meaningful reinvestment. Anyone considering joining should do their homework, verify the facts independently, and speak with former members. Membership has reportedly fallen from 42 to 17 and continues to trend downward. That kind of decline does not happen without reason.

The service at this place is amazing, from the person checking you in at the top parking lot, to…read moregetting you squared away down at the gas dock. Instructions were provided concisely in an easy to understand format for new drivers. We rented a Chaparral for 4 hours on Labor Day and it couldn't have gone smoother. The boat was in excellent condition and everyone had a great time. Gas came out to about $57, keeping in mind we had 5 adults, lots of food, and towed a tube during our rental period. Definitely recommend Berryessa Water Sports and will see them again soon!

My friend and I were staying in Yountville. The trailhead was about an 1/2 drive. If you're looking…read morefor a short loop hike, 2.4 miles, this is it. It's a beautiful hike filled with dense forest and streams. It's a fairly easy hike, well kept, with stairs at most of the steep paths, very narrow at spots and a lot of poison oak/Ivy off the sides of the path. Located on the Bartholomew Winery, a private park with hours from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM when the main gate gets locked (big sign). There is plenty of free parking. My friend and I walked the trail around 1:30 PM. on a Wednesday. We only saw one other hiker the whole time, so nice, so peaceful, we had the whole forest to ourselves. LOL there was a warning sign for Mountain Lions, we did not see or hear anything, only the birds and the stream. I would definitely recommend this trail and I would come back to walk it again.

another glorious day hiking here! each season offers unique beauty & today was no exception. due to…read morelimited time today we opted for the shorter loop- a nice amount of climbing included.

Not sure why it's taken so long for me to come back to this beautiful park! I had a great hike…read moretoday, even tried a new trail! It was definitely worth it because the views at the top are amazing.

Stunning hike with a stunning landscape. You cannot go wrong. Bring sunscreen, hat, at least 2…read morewater bottles and you will have the best time. There are a number of different trails and its decently quiet. Parking is limited but you can park on the street. Small lake in the middle, we found frogs. Dog friendly!!

It was on of the most epic weekends at Lake Berryessa with these guys last year. Rented a boat with…read moreinstructors for the whole time! The lake itself is like something out of a postcard. The boat? Brand new and comfy as heck. Perfect for cruising around and soaking up the sun. This was my first crack at wakesurfing, and let me just say, the instructors were AMAZING. Super patient and helpful, they totally broke it down for me and got me riding those waves in no time. Highly recommend these guys, especially if you're a wakesurfing newbie like me. Already itching to get back out there!

Really great guys, super boat and a fun day on berryessa. We had a mixed group (my wife and I, my…read moreparents, my sister and our 3 and 5 year old). Everyone had a blast, swimming surfing and tubing. Highly recommend.

We booked a rafting trip with Mother Lode River Center in June of 2024. None of us had ever done…read moremuch more than easy trips on calm water, so it was a pretty new experience for us. Our guides were Erin and Lauren. We had an absolute blast; it was the most fun I've had in years. My sister-in-law was visiting from the UK and she said it was the highlight of her trip. Yes, the rapids are fast and wild and yes, there's a possibility you might fall out of the boat. If you're not a big adrenaline junkie or you're older and this worries you, don't let that keep you from doing this. I'm also not a big adrenaline junkie. Three of us on the raft were over 50. We all had a fantastic time. I never felt like I was in danger and I was never scared. The guides are great at showing you what to do, easing your fears, keeping you safe, and making sure you have a good time. Highly recommended experience, especially if you have a visitor and you want them to experience the best of Northern CA recreation!

I decided I wanted to take the kids I nanny (11 & 13) to do something fun and unique and thought…read morewhy not finally cross off whitewater rafting from my bucket list?! We were gifted a beautiful day on the river with multiple sightings of wildlife including fish jumping, ducklings, geese, and even a bald eagle! The best part was getting to see the kids do something, get scared, have a blast doing it, and then ask to come back for more intensity next time. I really appreciated the guides for their hospitality, humor, and kindness. However my main piece of feedback would be a friendly reminder that nature and outdoor recreational activities are a form of escape and respite from our every day life, so being more mindful of the topics of conversation brought up during the ride is very important to the atmosphere.